Can opener with power pierce, automatic shut-off, and removable cutter mounting plate

ABSTRACT

An electrically powered can opener has the features of powerpierce and automatic shut-off. A removable cutter mounting plate is separably mounted with respect to the can piercing hand lever to effectively utilize the above features. The cutter mounting plate is operatively connected to the frame with a spring biased latch member engaging cutter mounting plate and is removably located within an aperture in the hand lever. This second pin member-hand lever connection, in conjunction with the mounting means for the hand lever on can opener frame, enables the hand lever to effect the pivoting of the cutter element on the cutter mounting plate toward and away from the can feed wheel, and the appropriate orientation of a movable can guide with respect to the can feed wheel.

United States Patent [191 (111 3,787,967

McLean I45] Jan. 29, 1974 CAN OPENER WITH POWER PIERCE, [57] ABSTRACTAETOMATIC SHUT-OFF AND An electrically powered can opener has thefeatures of R MOVABLE CUTTER MOUNTING PLATE power-pierce and automaticshut-off. A removable [75] Inventor: Robert E. McLean, Raytown, Mo.cutter mounting plate is separably mounted with respect to the canpiercing hand lever to effectively uti- [73] Asslgnee' Elva] p fiCompany lize the above features. The cutter mounting plate is ansas 1operatively connected to the frame with a spring bi- [22] Filed: Apr.17, 1972 ased latch member engaging cutter mounting plate and isremovably located within an aperture in the [21] Appl. No.: 244,715 handlever. This second pin member-hand lever con- [52] U5. Cl. 30/4 R, 30/9neetien, in Conjunction with the nt g m s f r [51] Int. Cl. B67b 7/38the hand lever on can Opener frame, enables the hand [58] Field ofSearch 30/4 R, 9, 8, 8.5 lever to effect the pi ing 0f h u r el men nthe cutter mounting plate toward and away from the [56] References Citedcan feed wheel, and the appropriate orientation of 2 UNITED STATESPATENTS movable can guide with respect to the can feed wheel. 3,314,1444/l967 McLean 30/4 R 3,487,542 l/l970 Hamwi 30/4 R PrimaryExaminerOthell M. Simpson Assistant ExaminerGary L. Smith 8 Claims, 8Drawing Figures Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lowe, Kokjer, Kircher et al.

minimum PAIENIEDJANZS m4 SHEEI 3 [1F 3 CAN OPENER WITH POWER PIERCE,AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF, AND REMOVABLE CUTTER MOUNTING PLATE BACKGROUND ANDBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to animprovement on the can opener disclosed in the pending U. S. Pat.application Ser. No. 177,688 filed Sept. 3, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No.3,724,069 and entitled ELECTRIC CAN OPENER WITH REMOVABLE CUTTERMOUNTING PLATE AND PIVOTALLY ATTACHED HAND LEVER and owned by the sameassignee.

The present invention relates to a power operated can opener having thefeatures of power-pierce, automatic shut-off, and a removable cuttermounting plate which carries the cutting element thereon. The cuttermounting plate and the can piercing hand lever are separable elementsbut interconnected by a second pin member which extends from the cuttermounting plate and is removably and pivotally located within an aperturein the can piercing hand lever. A first cutter mounting plate pin memberextends through suitable bearing opening in the can opener upright frameand is engaged by a spring biased latch member to operably retain, yetat the same time permit the removability of, the cutter mounting plate(which carries the cutting element thereon) for cleaning or otherpurposes.

The cutter mounting plate is suitably contoured and apertured touniquely locate both a fixed can guide and a movable can guide on theframe structure and to permit the can piercing hand lever to effect thepivotal movement of both the cutter mounting plate and the associatedmovable can guide which extends through an opening in the cuttermounting plate. The interconnection of can piercing hand lever with thecan opener frame is such that both the pivotal movement of same ispermitted as well as a substantially horizontal movement within anelongated opening in the frame. Also, the pivotal pin member, whichextends from the hand level through the above mentioned elongated frameopening, participates in effecting the power-pierce and automaticshut-off, as well as the swinging of the cutter mounting plate to permitnormal can opener operation.

An object of the invention is to provide an electrically powered canopener with power-pierce, automatic shut-off, and a uniquely constructedremovable cutter mounting plate.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric can opener ofthe character described above which is capable of being produced moreeconomically and which requires substantially less torque or force toswing a can piercing hand lever upwardly for the normal can openingoperations.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically operatedcan opener of the character described above that substantially reducesany tendency to tilt or to rotate the entire can opener on the surfacewhich it rests. Such tilting normally occurs as the user would swing thecan piercing hand lever upwardly during the initial operation of the canopener or to release an opened can from the can opener.

can opener. It is a feature of this object that the cutter mountingplate is separable from the can piercing hand lever. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrically operatedcan opener which has a cutter mounting plate carrying the cuttingelement thereon and in which the cutter mounting plate is easilyremovable, while at the same time permitting the can piercing hand leverto remain permanently assembled to the frame of the can opener.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electric can openerwhich has a removable cutter mounting plate carrying the cutting elementthereon, same being simple and easy to remove or re-install with respectto the can opener frame. It is a feature of the invention that the canopener operates to automatically align certain pivotal structuralfeatures of the can opener (such as the can piercing hand lever) when itis necessary to re-install the combined parts of the remainder of thecan opener.

Still further object of the invention is to provide a can opener of thecharacter described which has a uniquely constructed movable can guidecooperating with a fixed can guide during the cutting operation andwhich automatically moves the movable can guide to the required out ofthe way position through engagement with the cutter mounting platewhenever the can piercing hand lever is swung to its upwardmostposition. At all other times, the cutter mounting plate is free of themovable can guide during the other phases of operation of the opening ofa can.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric can opener ofthe character described which 10- cates the fixed can guide with respectto the remainder of the can opener in such a manner that the rim orflange of the can stays on the can feed wheel. It is a feature of thisobject that the uniform tilting of an engaged can during all phases ofthe operation of the opening of a can, including; (1 the position of thecan prior to its being pierced by the cutter element; (2) the positionof the can as its end is being pierced by the cutter element; and (3)the position of the can as the end is being sheared therefrom areuniform. When the can feed wheel rotates in the counter-clockwisedirection, it is important that the can be positioned in such a mannerthat its axis is slightly counter-clockwise from the vertical (the samedirection as the feed wheel rotates) as the end of the can is beingpierced by the cutting element and also while the end is being shearedfrom the can. Such slight counter-clockwise positioning of the canduring these phases of operation of the opening of the can vastlycontribute to maintaining the rim or flange of the can on the peripheryof the can feed wheel. If the movable can guide is on such side of thecan feed wheel, the can would be tilted the opposite direction (at leastwhile the end is being pierced by the cutting element) and the rim orflange of the can would be prone to run off of the periphery of the canfeed wheel. It should be pointed out that if the can feed wheel is to berotated clockwise, the fixed can guide should be on the opposite side ofthe can feed wheel.

These and other objects of the invention, together with the features ofnovelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the followingdescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings,which form a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunctiontherewith and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicatelike parts of the various views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a power operating can openershowing the operating parts in a normal or at rest position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of the canopener shown in FIG. 1 but with the cutter mounting plate removed andwith the outer end of the can piercing lever shown broken away;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the cutter mounting plate;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the can opener frame and operatingparts normally associated therethrough but with a portion of theconventional gear train broken away to disclose some of the componentsand the broken line indicative of alternative positions of the variousparts;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the upper portion of the can openerframe shown in FIG. 4 but with the latch structure removed to moreclearly show the construction of the movable can guide supporting memberand with the broken lines indicating the hand lever and cutter mountingplate and associated elements being moved to the uppermost position;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the frame and correspondingoperating parts of the can opener taken from the right hand portion ofFIG 1;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, however taken from the left side ofthe can opener shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the upper portion of the canopener shown in FIG. 1 with the broken line indicating the position ofthe hand lever and cutter mountingplate when same are moved to theuppermost position.

Turning now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 1generally designates the upright frame of the can opener which willinclude the suitable apertures in order to accommodate the can feedwheel drive shaft 3 with the serrated can feed wheel 2 located thereon.As shown in FIG. 6, the drive shaft 3 is journaled in a fixed boss 4(same being integrally formed on the rear surface of frame 1) and isrotated through suitable reduction gearing by a conventional electricmotor M, preferably of the economical shaded pole type.

As shown in FIG. 2, frame 1 is provided with three small forwardlyextending bosses 5 which provide a plane surface so that the pivoted endof a later described cutter mounting plate 6 may seat there against. Aconventional can guard 7 will be fixedly attached to frame 1 at theusual location below the can feed wheel 2. Finally, frame 1 is providedwith hole 8 through which the tapered end of a stud 9 may extend for thepurpose of removably attaching the cutter mounting plate 6 to the framein an operative position.

As will be seen, stud 9 is anchored in cutter mounting plate 6 and is ahardened part that is provided with an annular groove 10 (not shown)which receives a portion of the retaining latch 11 to maintain thecutter mounting plate 6 firmly seated against the forward verticalsurfaces of the bosses 5 when assembled on the can opener frame.

A cutter wheel 12 is designed to be joumaled on a stud that is anchoredin boss 12a on the cutter mounting plate 6 and is designed to havelimited wobble movement similar to that shown in U. S. Pat. No.3,314,144. 7

A can piercing lever 13 is permanently pivoted to frame 1 by theshoulder rivet 14. The forward end portion of rivet 14 extends through asuitable hold in can piercing lever 13 and is swaged over (preferably byhotheading process) to securely anchor the rivet (14) in can piercinglever 13. The intermediate diameter portion 15 (not shown) of rivet 14extends through a substantially horizontal slot 16 with the length ofthis portion 15 being slightly greater than the thickness of frame 1 inthe area through which it extends. While slot 16 is shown assubstantially horizontal, it may be countered in any other desirablemanner. It is preferable to select the length of horizontal slot oropening 16 so that the above mentioned intermediate portion 15 (notshown) of the shoulder rivet 14 can not engage either end portionthereof under any condition of operation. However, if other limitingmeans is not employed for that purpose, the slot 16 can be terminated atits left end (when viewed from the front of the can opener as in FIG. 2)to limit the counter-clockwise swinging of can piercing lever 13 and thecutter mounting plate 6. Also, the height of the horizontal slot 16 isselected to be greater than the diameter of the intermediate portion 15(not shown) of the rivet 14 in order to permit the cutter mounting plate6 to rotate counter-clockwise (as viewed from the front) from its normalhorizontal position approximately 4.

The can piercing lever 13 and the cutter mounting plate 6 are connectedby the inserting of shoulder stud 18 (which is anchored in cuttermounting plate 6 by hot-heading process) into a suitable hole 19 (seeFIG. 2) of the lever 13. As will be seen, the upward swinging of canpiercing lever 13 will accordingly result in the counter-clockwiserotation of cutter mounting plate 6 and this movement will be due, inpart, to the above described interconnection. Also, a tension spring 13awill be hooked over the grooved rearmost extension 14a of rivet 14 (seeFIGS. 4 and 5) and over rearwardly extending boss 13b of frame 1.Accordingly, the lever 13 is biased to the solid line position in FIGS.4 and 5, thereby facilitating the alignment and re-installation of thecutter mounting plate 6 on the remainder of the can opener (e.g., stud18 will always be aligned with hole 19 when parts are in the restposition).

A switch control lever 21 is pivoted to the rear side of frame 1 by theshoulder rivet 20 which is anchored in frame 1. Lever 21 is free toswing about the rivet 20 within prescribed limits and is provided with ahole 22 (not shown) through which the intermediate diameter portion ofrivet 20 extends, thereby accomplishing the above mentioned pivotalconnection. When the can opener is in the rest condition, the free end(see FIG. 4) of lever 21 is urged downwardly to seat on the rearwardlyextending boss 23 of frame 1 by a tension spring 23a, one end of samebeing hooked in hole 24 of lever 2 1 while the other end thereof ishooked over a suitable boss 24a (not shown) of frame 1 therebelow.

The switch control lever 21 is provided with a substantially horizontalopening 25 that overlies horizontal opening 16 of frame 1 but which isof a larger size as indicated in the various views. When the can openeris in the rest condition, the upper edge of slot 25 in lever 21 will notonly be horizontal (FIG. 4) but the largest diameter portion of shoulderrivet 14 will seat upwardly against the upper edge of lever 21. The canpiercing lever 13 will be substantially horizontal, with the upper edgeof notch 26 of can piercing lever 13 seating downwardly (and providing afulcrum for the can piercing lever) on the cooperating boss 27 whichextends forwardly from frame 1. In this condition, there will be a fewthousandths of an inch clearance between the circumference oftheintermediate portion 15 (not shown) of the shoulder rivet l4 and thelower edge of slot 16 of frame 1. When sufficient downward force isapplied to the free end of can piercing lever 13, the free end of lever13 swings downwardly (fulcrums on boss 27), against the tension ofspring 23a, until the circumference of the intermediate portion 15 (notshown) of rivet 14 seats upwardly against the upper edge of slot 16 offrame 1. In this condition, the axis of the shoulder rivet 14 willsubstantially be in the lateral plane of the axis of shoulder stud 18.The lower edge of opening 25 (of lever 21), as well as the ends of theopening, are never engaged by the largest diameter portion of theshoulder rivet 14 that extends through said opening.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a portion of the free end of switchcontrol lever 21 is offset rearwardly from frame 1 and has a hole 28located therein in which the upper end of a switch actuating rod 29 ispivoted. The lower end of the switch actuating rod 29 is suitably supported for free vertical movement and extends through a hole (not shown)in bracket 31 which extends rearwardly from frame 1. A conventionalswitch S, of the normally closed type, and having a plunger P, ismounted on frame 1 for engagement with the lower end of the actuatingrod 29. The length of the switch actuating rod 29 is set so switch Swill always be in the off condition when the free end of the lever 21seats downwardly on stop boss 23 and will always be on when theintermediate diameter portion 15 of the shoulder rivet 14 seats upwardlyagainst the upper edge of slot 16 of frame 1 (with suitable over-travelboth directions).

The upper left portion (as seen from the front) of can piercing lever 13immediately adjacent the shoulder rivet 14 is offset to provide therequired seating surface against frame 1 to permit clearance between themajor portion of lever 13 and any decorative part that might be affixedto frame 1 between such major portions of the lever and the frame. Thisoffset portion is designated by the numeral 32 in FIG. 2. As iscustomary, lever 13 is also provided with the normally flat upper area33 which allows the user to apply force thereon in order to swing thelever downwardly.

As suggested above, the latch 11 is operated by the depressing of thepush button or knob 44 in a manner similar to that disclosed in U. S.Pat. Nos. 3,496,635 and 3,520,056. Further, this latch is urged upwardlyat all times by the tension spring 44a so that it engages stud 9 of thecutter mounting plate 6 and draws the same snugly against the bosses 5on the forward portion of frame 1.

A fixed can guide 62 is pressed in a suitable hole in frame 1 andextends substantially forwardly of the face of can feed wheel 2.Additionally, a movable can guide 63 is anchored in the lower end of amovable can guide supporting link 64 (preferably by hot-heading process)and extends forwardly of the face of can feed wheel 2 by approximatelythe same distance as fixed can guide 62. In order to facilitate thepositioning of the movable can guide a substantially triangularly shapedopening 65 is provided in frame 1 so that the movable can guide mayextend therethrough into operating proximity with the can to be opened.Further, the cutter mounting plate 6 is provided with a substantiallyrectangularly shaped opening 66 that, when mounted on the frame,overlies the opening 65 of frame 1 so that movable can guide 63 isaccommodated.

As shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the movable can guide supportinglink 64 is provided with an elliptical opening 67 with the long axis ofthe opening extending through the axis of movable can guide 63. Thesupporting link as suggested above is mounted on shoulder rivet 68 onthe rearward side of frame 1 for limited pivotal and longitudinalmovement. In this regard, the intermediate diameter portion (not shown)of the rivet 68 extends through the opening 67 of link 64. Accordinglythis interconnecting portion of shoulder rivet 68 operates to permitfree pivotal and longitudinal movement of link 64 but, at the same time,substantially maintains the link 64 in a plane paralleling that of therearward surface of frame I.

A rearwardly bent portion 69 of link 64 is provided with a suitable hole(not shown) so that a tension spring 72 may have an upper end portionhooked therein while the other end is hooked over a suitable boss 72awhich also extends rearwardly from frame 1. It should be noted that thespring 72 is positioned in such an angle that its force will not onlyurge the movable can guide 63 downwardly at all times but will also urgecan guide toward the left (as viewed from the front of the can opener)at all times. With the can opener at rest, a clearance notch 73 isprovided in cutter mounting plate 6 so that the fixed can guide maylocate therein and not interfere with the working positions of thecutter mounting plate.

Finally, the operation discussed, infra, may be facilitated byidentifying the left side of the triangular opening 65 of frame 1 (seeFIG. 2) by the numeral 76, the upper side by the numeral 74 and theinclined third side bears the designation 75. Also, for identification,the left side of rectangular opening 66 (when viewed from the front asin FIG. 1) in cutter mounting plate 6 is designated by the numeral 77,and the right side of the same opening is designated by numeral 78.

OPERATION The latch 11, preferably through the wedging action of the sumsurfaces 1 1b against rearward boss 11a, will draw the stud 9 ofmounting plate 6 rearwardly so that the cutter mounting plate seats onbosses 5 and on the forwardly extending left hand portion of canpiercing lever 13. This arrangement assures proper alignment between thecan feed wheel and the cutting element as suggested in the McLean et al.US. Pat. No. 3,496,635. The operating thrust, whenever a can is engagedin the can opener, is such that slight clearance can be expected toexist between the right end of cutter mounting plate 6 and the adjacentsurface of the can piercing lever 13, thereby eliminating friction thatcould impede rotation of one of these parts relative to the other duringthe automatic shut-off phase of operation of the can opener.

As suggested above, the cutter mounting plate 6 swings on the axis ofhole 8 of frame 1 but remains on the outer surface of the three bosses 5whenever swung to any possible operating position. Accordingly, when allparts of the can opener are in the rest condition, the can piercinglever 13 will be substantially horizontal,

with the upper edge of notch 26 of the lever seating downwardly on boss27 of frame 1. In this position, the circumference of the largestdiameter portion of shoulder rivet 14 seats upwardly against the upperedge of opening 25 of switch control lever 21. There will be a fewthousandths of an inch clearance between the circumference of theintermediate diameter portion (not shown) of shoulder rivet 14 and thelower edge of slot 16 of frame 1. Also, with all parts of the can openerin the rest condition, the movable can guide supporting link 64 ispivoted to frame 1 by the shoulder rivet 68, the intermediate diameterportion of the link connecting rivet 68 is in the upper end of theelliptical slot 67 of link 64.

In any possible operating condition, there is always clearance betweenmovable can guide 63 and the inclined edge of side 75 of opening 65 inframe 1. When all parts of the can opener are in rest condition, themovable can guide 63 will not only be urged to its extreme downwardposition, but will also be urged to its left-most position, seatingagainst the edge or side 76 of the opening 65 in frame 1. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 8, whenever the movable can guide 63 is in engagement withthe edge or side 76 of the opening 65 in frame 1 there will always besome clearance between the guide and the right side 78 of rectangularopening 66 of cutter mounting plate 6. Cutter mounting plate 6 can beswung approximately 6 counter-clockwise (as seen from the front) beforethe left side 77 of the rectangular opening 66 thereof will engage themovable can guide 63. The movable can guide 63 can never engage theupper or lower ends of the rectangular opening 66 of cutter mountingplate 6. Further, it is preferred that the movable can guide 63 neverengage the upper side 74 of the triangular opening 65 in frame 1.

When all parts are in the rest condition as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, itwill be obvious that cutter mounting plate 6 can readily be removed bydrawing same forwardly without interference with either can guide (afterfirst pressing the latch knob or push button 44 to its extreme downwardposition).

To re-install cutter mounting plate 6 on the remainder of the canopener, it is only necessary to depress the latch knob or push button 44and to hold plate 6 in an approximate horizontal position. The taperedend of stud 9 is then inserted in hole 8 of frame 1 and the plate ismoved rearwardly until it seats on the 3 bosses 5 and on the forwardportion of piercing lever 13, as the latch knob or push button 44 ispermitted to rise under the impetus of the latch tension spring 440.Since a substantial length of stud 9 will have entered the hole 8 offrame 1 before cutter mounting plate 6 arrives in a contactingrelationship with the plane of the forward ends of can guides 62 and 63,the plate 6 automatically clears the can guides as it moves rearwardly(assuming the plate is held in an approximately horizontal position).Also, in as much as movable can guide 63 will extend forwardly throughthe opening 66 of plate 6 before the pivot stud 18 arrives in the planeof can piercing lever 13, only limited free oscillation of the plate 6on its pivot 8 is possible. By such limited oscillation, the user canreadily engage the tapered end stud 18 in the hole 19 of the canpiercing lever 13. The engagement of the can piercing lever notch 26with boss 27 maintains lever 13 in the position required to permitreinstallation of the cutter mounting plate on the remainder of the canopener.

When can piercing lever 13, is swung upwardly or counter-clockwise (asviewed from the front) to its extreme position, cutter mounting plate 6will be rotated approximately 34 from its normal horizontal position.After cutter mounting plate 6 swings counter-clockwise approximately 6from its normal horizontal position, additional counter-clockwiseswinging thereof causes the movable can guide 63 to move upwardly to theright through engagement of the left side 77 of opening 66 of cuttermounting plate 6 with the movable can guide 63. Accordingly, suchdisplacement of movable can guide 63 is accomplished throughapproximately 28 rotation of cutter mounting plate 6, thereby requiringthe application of much less force to lever 13 than is required when themovable can guide must be displaced by a much lesser rotational arc onthe part of the cutter mounting plate.

After the user swings can piercing lever 13 counterclockwise to itsextreme position, movable can guide 63 will have been raisedsufficiently to enable the insertion of the rim or flange of the canover the periphery of the can feed wheel 2 and under the can guides 62and 63. The user then swings can piercing lever 13 downwardly to itsextreme position, thereby resulting in the cutter wheel 12 first seatingfirmly on the end of the can. Additional swinging of the lever 13 causesthe switch control lever 21 to rotate clockwise (as viewed from the rearof the can opener), against the tension of spring 230. This results in achanging of switch S from the off" condition to the on" condition andthe starting of motor M. Further downward swinging of lever 13 causesthe intermediate diameter portion 15 (not shown) of the shoulder rivet14 to seat upwardly against the upper edge of slot 16 of frame 1. Thecontinued downward swinging of the can piercing lever 13 to itsdownwardmost position causes cutter wheel 12 to pierce the end of thecan.

Resistance of the end of the can to shear by cutter wheel 12 causes theportion 15 (not shown) of shoulder rivet 14 to continue in engagementwith the upper edge of slot 16 of frame 1. However, after the end hasbeen completely sheared from the can, the force of spring 23a moves thefree end of the switch control lever 21 downwardly until it seats onboss 23 of frame 1, thereby changing the switch from the on condition tothe off condition and shutting off the motor M.

As the user commences the swinging of the can piercing lever 13downwardly from its extreme upward position, the movable can guide 63,under impetus of its spring 72, moves downwardly and to the left untilin firm engagement with the top of the rim or flange of the can.Movement toward its leftmost position (wherein movable can guide 63engages the left side of opening 65 of frame 1) is positive by itsengagement with the right side 78 of opening 66 of the cutter mountingplate 6. However, friction between movable can guide 63 and the top ofthe rim or flange of the engaged can, assisted by the selected directionof force by the spring 72, always moves can guide 63 to its desiredposition (in engagement with left side 76 of opening 65 of frame 1).

When a can is engaged in the can opener, movable can guide 63 will besubstantially above its illustrated position in FIGS. 1 and 2 but willstay in engagement with the left side 76 of opening 65. It should benoted that the opening 66 of the cutter mounting plate 6 is free of themovable can guide 63 at all times while the end is being sheared fromthe can (so as not to interfere with the automatic shut-off function) aswell as after the automatic shut-off has occurred. Obviously, the usercan remove the can from the can opener by swinging the can piercinglever 13 upwardly to its extreme position. The conventional can guard 7maintains the side wall of the can engaged in the can opener at thedesired angle relative to the face of feed wheel 2.

It will be noted that the spring-urged movable can guide 63, incooperation with the fixed can guide 62, forces the rim or flange of anengaged can downwardly on the toothed periphery of can feed wheel 2 asrequired to provide the necessary traction for the feeding of the canwith respect to the cutter wheel 12.

The switch S can be changed from the normally off condition to the on"condition by depressing the free end of the can piercing lever 13.Accordingly, if the can opener is also provided with a knife sharpener(not shown), it is not necessary to provide any switch manipulatingmeans for operating the conventional cutlery grinding means separatefrom the means provided for operating the can opener. This isspecifically accomplished by fulcruming the can piercing lever 13 at apoint on frame 1 intermediate the free end of the lever and the point atwhich it is pivoted to the cutter mounting plate 6. Fulcruming of thecan piercing lever at a point on the frame of the can opener for thispurpose has been previously discussed in the McLean US. Pat. No.3,277,570.

Spring 23a, which urges the free end of switch control lever 21downwardly at all times, must have sufficient force to move theintermediate portion 15 (not shown) of shoulder stud 14 from itsuppermost possible position in slot 16 of frame 1 (through which itextends) to near its lowermost possible position therein upon completionof the severing of the end from an engaged can, to thereby complete theautomatic shut-off and stop the motor as described above. However, forceof tension spring 23a must never be sufficient to so move stud 14 fromits uppermost position in slot 16 to its lowermost position thereinwhile the end of the engaged can is being sheared by the cutter wheel12. The preferred strength of this tension spring would be approximatelymidway between the minimum strength required to so move stud 14 from itsuppermost position to its lowermost position when the end has beencompletely sheared from the can and the maximum strength the springcould have without moving stud 14 from its uppermost to its lowermostposition while the end is being sheared from the can.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects herein set forth, togetherwith other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to thestructure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a power operated can opener having an upright frame with a canfeed wheel supported thereon, said frame having a bearing openingtherein, a hand lever and a releasable latch affixed to said frame, thecombination therewith of a cutter mounting plate having a cutter elementmounted thereon, said plate having first and second pin membersextending therefrom, said first pin member engaged within said bearingopening and releasably retained by said latch thereby removably mountingsaid plate on said frame, said cutter mounting plate being fixedlypivoted about said bearing opening, and,

means for swingably mounting said hand lever to said frame, said handlever having an aperture therein, said second pin member removably andseparably located without the use of tools within said lever apertureand operable to permit pivotal movement between said lever and saidplate, said lever swinging movement thereby effecting pivoting of saidcutter element and said cutter mounting plate on said first pin membertoward and away from said feed wheel.

2. The combination as in claim 1 including an electric motor drivinglyconnected with said feed wheel, a switch means connected with said motorand having a motor energized condition and a motor de-energizedcondition, a second opening in said frame, said swingably mounting meansincluding a pivot member located thereon and extending through saidsecond opening, a motor control means mounted on said frame, said pivotmember extending through said second opening and contacting said motorcontrol means, said pivot member being operable to move said motorcontrol means in a direction to effect said motor energized conditionand the driving of said can feed wheel when said lever effects theswinging of said cutter mounting plate and said cutter element into acan piercing position with a can having an end to be sheared by saidcutter element, and

means for releasably connecting said first cutter mounting plate pinmember to said frame, said connecting means including a latch member forretaining said cutter mounting plate on said frame for the can shearingoperation of said can opener and for permitting axial separation of saidpin member and said bearing opening when said latch member is moved in apreselected direction.

3. The combination as in claim 2 including means connected with saidmotor control means to automatically cause said motor control means tode-energize said motor when the cutting of the end of the can has beencompleted.

4. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said frame has a fixed canguide extending therefrom, a second can guide, means for movablymounting said second can guide with respect to said frame, an aperturein said cutter mounting plate, said second can guide extending throughsaid aperture in said cutter mounting plate, said cutter mounting platehaving a portion thereof operable to engage said movable can guide andto move same away from said can feed wheel to permit the insertion of acan or the removal of a can from said can opener in accordance with themovement of said hand lever.

5. The combination as in claim 4 wherein said can feed wheel rotates ina pre-selected direction, said fixed can guide located on said frame andspaced away from said can feed wheel in a direction that is opposite tothe direction of rotation of said feed wheel.

6. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said swingably mounting meansfor said hand lever includes said frame having elongated openingtherein, a fixed pivot member extending from said lever and extendingthrough said elongated opening, said lever being operable to swing aboutthe axis of said fixed pivot member and to move substantially throughthe length of said elongated slot in said frame as said lever effectsthe pivoting of the said cutter mounting plate toward and away from saidcan feed wheel.

7. The combination as in claim 6 including a resilient engaged in saidcan opener.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION I 'Patent No.3,787,967 Dated January 29, 1974 Inventor(s) Robert E. McLean I It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1 Line 42 Word "level" should be --lever--.

Column 2 Llne l9 Word "of"- should -be --on-'.

Column 3 I I 1 Line 1 Word "is" should be ---are Column 6 I Llne Z7 Word"sum" Should be cam--.

Columnl2' v H a Next to lastvline Word "with" should be--without--.

Signed and sealed this l8th day of June 1971;.

(SEAL) Attest: v v v EDJARD M.FLETCHER,JR. c. MARSHALL 1mm AttestingOfficer. i Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) uscoMM-DC c0876P69 u.s. sovsnumzmmanna omc: an o-ssa-aa4,

1. In a power operated can opener having an upright frame with a canfeed wheel supported thereon, said frame having a bearing openingtherein, a hand lever and a releasable latch affixed to said frame, thecombination therewith of a cutter mounting plate having a cutter elementmounted thereon, said plate having first and second pin membersextending therefrom, said first pin member engaged within said bearingopening and releasably retained by said latch thereby removably mountingsaid plate on said frame, said cutter mounting plate being fixedlypivoted about said bearing opening, and, means for swingably mountingsaid hand lever to said frame, said hand lever having an aperturetherein, said second pin member removably and separably located withoutthe use of tools within said lever aperture and operable to permitpivotal movement between said lever and said plate, said lever swingingmovement thereby effecting pivoting of said cutter element and saidcutter mounting plate on said first pin member toward and away from saidfeed wheel.
 2. The combination as in claim 1 including an electric motordrivingly connected with said feed wheel, a switch means connected withsaid motor and having a motor energized condition and a motorde-energized condition, a second opening in said frame, said swingablymounting means including a pivot member located thereon and extendingthrough said second opening, a motor control means mounted on saidframe, said pivot member extending through said second opening andcontacting said motor control means, said pivot member being operable tomove said motor control means in a direction to effect said motorenergized condition and the driving of said can feed wheel when saidlever effects the swinging of said cutter mounting plate and said cutterelement into a can piercing position with a can having an end to besheared by said cutter element, and means for releasably connecting saidfirst cutter mounting plate pin member to said frame, said connectingmeans including a latch member for retaining said cutter mounting plateon said frame for the can shearing operation of said can opener and forpermitting axial separation of said pin member and said bearing openingwhen said latch member is moved in a preselected direction.
 3. Thecombination as in claim 2 including means connected with said motorcontrol means to automatically cause said motor control means tode-energize said motor when the cutting of the end of the can has beencompleted.
 4. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said frame has afixed can guide extending therefrom, a second can guide, means formovably mounting said second can guide with respect to said frame, anaperture in said cutter mounting plate, said second can guide extendingthrough said aperture in said cutter mounting plate, said cuttermounting plate having a portion thereof operable to engage said movablecan guide and to move same away from said can feed wheel to permit theinsertion of a can or the removal of a can from said can opener inaccordance with the movement of said hand lever.
 5. The combination asin claim 4 wherein said can feed wheel rotates in a pre-selecteddirection, said fixed can guide located on said frame and spaced awayfrom said can feed wheel in a direction that is opposite to thedirection of rotation of said feed wheel.
 6. The combination as in claim1 wherein said swingably mounting means for said hand lever includessaid frame having elongated opening therein, a fixed pivot memberextending from said lever and extending through said elongated opening,said lever being operable to swing about the axis of said fixed pivotmember And to move substantially through the length of said elongatedslot in said frame as said lever effects the pivoting of the said cuttermounting plate toward and away from said can feed wheel.
 7. Thecombination as in claim 6 including a resilient member connected betweensaid frame and said fixed pivot member, said resilient member operableto urge said fixed pivot member in a preselected direction within saidelongated opening.
 8. The combination as in claim 2 wherein said frameincludes a boss member extending from said frame, said lever beingswingable in a preselected direction to contact said boss and to move ina direction to effect the movement of said pivot member to operate saidswitch means and energize said motor with a can being engaged in saidcan opener.